Medway's Thayer Homestead to host summer events

Wednesday

Jun 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Zachary ComeauDaily News Staff

MEDWAY - With the building finally complete, the nearly 200-year-old Thayer Homestead will be home to numerous events this summer.With a facilities manager set to be hired in the coming weeks, the town has moved forward with scheduling some of Medway’s annual events at the property, which overlooks Choate Park and Choate Pond.As part of the "Medway Summer Series," movies will be shown on the Thayer Homestead lawn every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m., beginning tonight with Disney’s "Monster University."Concerts at Choate Park and Thayer Homestead continue throughout the summer, said Selectmen Chairman Dennis Crowley.According to Crowley, the June 19 Family Day at Thayer Homestead, complete with a military band and fireworks, will be the last event funded by Medway 300 donations collected during the town’s 300th anniversary celebration.So far, Crowley said the feedback from residents and businesses who have rented the propoerty has been positive.The town, using Community Preservation funds, seized the property in 2004 after a developer wanted to demolish the historic home at 2B Oak St.The house, built on the 3.3-acre lot in 1838, and is one of the town's oldest structures.Residents at special Town Meeting in November 2012 approved the $2.5 million project, and construction began in April 2013, with the majority of it finishing up last month.The construction included completely renovating the historic home, adding a caretaker’s apartment, a 3,600-square-foot addition with restrooms, a kitchen, 22 parking spaces and other amenities.Now selectmen want the home and neighboring Choate Park to serve as a central gathering place or town common for residents to enjoy. According to Crowley, the construction is complete, but contractors are still working on a few minor details.Regardless, the historic home has already hosted several events, including the retirement party for Town Administrator Suzanne Kennedy."People that have used it say it looks beautiful," Crowley said. "All of the events have been successful. It’s really a nice venue."Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.